5. The Redeemer

In the last study we discussed the Bible’s powerful statements concerning the fact that God created the heavens and the earth. Since the Bible also says in 1 John 4:16 that, “God is Love”, we can summarize that the creation of the world was an act of love. If so, then the same thing can be said of us. We were brought into the world by an act of God’s love. God’s love gave us breath, and because of that, we owe God our very lives.

God’s love for us is shown in another remarkable way. Not only is God our CREATOR, but He is also our REDEEMER. Although we came into the world by God’s love, and we were created to love Him, we all rebelled. There has been a time in all of our lives when sin has controlled us. As Paul points out in

Colossians 1:21, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.”

There is a very real sense in which we sold ourselves to Satan and to the deception of sin. We became slaves of sin. Even so, God loves us so much that He decided to buy us back for Himself. When God bought us back for His own use, He redeemed us. Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14 tell us the purchase price was tremendous. The only way God could buy us back from our slavery to sin was if Jesus offered His own blood to pay the price. Because Jesus shed His blood for us, we are no longer slaves to sin.

We’ve been REDEEMED!

What does this mean for our lives in a practical way?

First, we have been redeemed from a life of wickedness and have been set free for a life of goodness. Paul says of Jesus in Titus 2:14, He

“gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.”

Second, we have been redeemed from a life of emptiness and have been set free for a life of fullness. Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:18-19,

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”

Third, we learn that we have been redeemed from the consequences of sin in our lives (eternal death or hell), and have been set free for the hope of eternal life. Paul says in Romans 8:22-15,

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. No only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoptions as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.”

There is a song which says, “What a difference you’ve made in my life!” Surely that can be said of what God in Christ has done for us. There are so many people around us who live lives of “desperation.” They are trapped in sinful patterns of living. Their bodies and hearts are only empty shells. They see no eternal purpose in life, feel no joy and peace in living. Then the final tragedy comes. Death erases all of their long held hopes and aspirations.

That is not true for us! What a DIFFERENCE He has made in our lives! Because of Christ’s sacrifice we find joy in doing good! Because of God our lives are filled with eternal purpose! 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells us that because of Him we live with the confident assurance that when Jesus comes again, we too will be raised from the dead to live with the Lord Jesus forever!

Because God is our CREATOR and REDEEMER, we owe Him both our life and our love.

QUESTIONS FOR STUDY AND REVIEW

1. According to 1 John 4:16, God is what?

2. Do you believe that you were brought into the world by an act of God’s love? Explain your answer.

3. Before we accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, what was our relationship to God according to Colossians 1:21?

4. Being redeemed means that we have been bought back by God. What price did Christ have to pay so that we could be set free from sin according to Ephesians 1:7 & Colossians 1:13&14?

5. Titus 2:12-14 tells us, we have been redeemed from a life of wickedness and have been set free for a life of what?

6. 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, we have been redeemed from a life of emptiness and have been set free for a life of what?

7. According to Romans 8:22-25, we have been redeemed from the consequences of sin and have been set free for what?

8. Because God is our CREATOR and REDEEMER, we owe Him what two things?